Monday, November 14, 2011

Tuesday's SOAP - John 4:1-24

 Jesus knew the Pharisees had heard that he was baptizing and making more disciples than John 2 (though Jesus himself didn’t baptize them—his disciples did). 3 So he left Judea and returned to Galilee.
 4 He had to go through Samaria on the way. 5 Eventually he came to the Samaritan village of Sychar, near the field that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. 6 Jacob’s well was there; and Jesus, tired from the long walk, sat wearily beside the well about noontime. 7 Soon a Samaritan woman came to draw water, and Jesus said to her, “Please give me a drink.” 8 He was alone at the time because his disciples had gone into the village to buy some food.
 9 The woman was surprised, for Jews refuse to have anything to do with Samaritans. She said to Jesus, “You are a Jew, and I am a Samaritan woman. Why are you asking me for a drink?”
 10 Jesus replied, “If you only knew the gift God has for you and who you are speaking to, you would ask me, and I would give you living water.”
 11 “But sir, you don’t have a rope or a bucket,” she said, “and this well is very deep. Where would you get this living water? 12 And besides, do you think you’re greater than our ancestor Jacob, who gave us this well? How can you offer better water than he and his sons and his animals enjoyed?”
 13 Jesus replied, “Anyone who drinks this water will soon become thirsty again. 14 But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life.”
 15 “Please, sir,” the woman said, “give me this water! Then I’ll never be thirsty again, and I won’t have to come here to get water.”
 16 “Go and get your husband,” Jesus told her.
 17 “I don’t have a husband,” the woman replied.
   Jesus said, “You’re right! You don’t have a husband—18 for you have had five husbands, and you aren’t even married to the man you’re living with now. You certainly spoke the truth!”
 19 “Sir,” the woman said, “you must be a prophet. 20 So tell me, why is it that you Jews insist that Jerusalem is the only place of worship, while we Samaritans claim it is here at Mount Gerizim,[c] where our ancestors worshiped?”
 21 Jesus replied, “Believe me, dear woman, the time is coming when it will no longer matter whether you worship the Father on this mountain or in Jerusalem. 22 You Samaritans know very little about the one you worship, while we Jews know all about him, for salvation comes through the Jews. 23 But the time is coming—indeed it’s here now—when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for those who will worship him that way. 24 For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth.”

S(cripture)But the time is coming—indeed it’s here now—when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for those who will worship him that way. 

O(bservation) - Picture this entire conversation as worship.  Jesus said that the time is coming when worship won't be about sacred space/place but will be about spirit and truth.  But he re-framed that thought - it's not future - indeed it's HERE NOW!  Worshiping in spirit and truth is here now - present in the conversation with this outcast woman - a divorce' - multiple divorces in an age when one meant you were "done."  She's now living with a guy outside of marriage - gathering water at mid-day to avoid the town crowd - the looks and strained conversations.  And Jesus has "church" with this woman.  Water to living water. Worship here and now.

A(pplication) - Where do you worship?  Where do you find God?  Have spiritual conversations?  Who are the people in your neighborhood? in your neighborhood? in your neighborhood?  Oh who are the people in your neighborhood?  The people that you meet each day? (Sorry - too much Sesame Street).  Do you see the people that you meet each day as potential worshipers - and that DOES NOT MEAN that your task is to get them into church or to a worship service.  It DOES MEAN that you worship where you are (here - now).  "Worship in spirit and in truth" equals spiritual conversations in the midst of life.  Conversations NOT conversions.  Be honest - are there some people you don't think you can worship with?  How does this text change your bias?  Where do you worship?  

P(rayer) - Abba, When will we realize that you want worship to happen anywhere and everywhere?  When will we begin to see every conversation as an opportunity for spiritual seasoning?  not forced, but a natural out-flowing of our relationship with You.  Pour your Living Water into us and have it flow out and into those around us - in the workplace, the grocery store, the soccer field, the swimming pool . . .  Teach us to worship you in spirit and truth.  Amen

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

thank you